How to play tennis: health benefits, gear & tennis tips for beginners
Imagine standing on a tennis court, racket firmly in hand, ready for the next serve. The sun is blazing, your heart is pounding. You’re in the zone and ready for victory… Tennis can be quite a thrill and will keep your body and mind in shape too. We'll tell you all you need to know about learning to play tennis. We’ll talk about the health benefits of playing tennis regularly and explain what tennis equipment you will need as a beginner.
Tennis for beginners: what is tennis?
Tennis is a dynamic sport that requires stamina and speed as well as precision and tactics. It can be played by either two or four players. The playing field is a rectangular court with a net running through the centre. The aim of the game is to hit the ball with a tennis racket over the net into the opponent's court so that one’s opponent cannot return it. Tennis also has a specific set of rules which must be followed.
The game can be played either as singles (two players) or doubles (four players in teams of two). The game begins with the serve, after which the players take it in turns to keep the ball in play.
A match consists of sets, which in turn consist of several games. A set is won when a player or team wins at least six games and has a lead of at least two games (e.g. 6:4). If the score is 5:5, play continues until one of the players leads by two games (e.g. 7:5). If the score is 6:6, a tiebreaker decides the set. At major tournaments such as the Grand Slams, men usually play best-of-five, i.e. three sets to win. Most other tournaments, women's tournaments and recreational sports are played best-of-three, i.e. two sets to win.
Playing tennis: the health benefits
Playing tennis regularly has a number of health benefits. Whether you want to get into shape, improve your coordination or have fun, tennis is a great sport that challenges both body and mind.
Here are some of the most important benefits of playing tennis at a glance:
Fitness and muscle control: tennis gets you in shape, strengthens your cardiovascular system and improves your balance and agility. The constant stop-and-go motion in all directions and having to use your whole body during play keeps you fit and agile.
Coordination and motor skills: the combination of running, hitting the ball and reacting to your opponent strengthens your coordination.
Stress reduction and concentration: tennis helps you to free your mind from the stresses of everyday life and focus fully on your game or training. It is physically challenging, but also mentally stimulating, so it improves your concentration and ability to think tactically.
Socialising and friendship: tennis is a social sport where it is easy to make new friends. Whether you prefer playing in singles or doubles, you’re likely to meet new people. Spending time with fellow tennis enthusiasts both on court and in the club often leads to long-lasting friendships.
This means that tennis is much more than just a way to exercise. It's a full-body workout that will challenge you physically and mentally and will help you to meet new people.
You can start playing tennis at any age. Even older people can start or get back into playing tennis, as long as they are healthy. A lot of clubs also offer special courses for older people that make it easier to get started.
Learning tennis: tips for beginners
With a little patience and practice, you will get better at tennis over time. Follow our tips for tennis beginners to help you improve your tennis game:
Take advantage of beginners' courses and taster classes: sign up for a beginners' course or a taster class at a tennis club. Here you can learn the basics from professionals and get a feel for whether tennis is the right hobby for you. You generally don't need your own tennis equipment for introductory classes. Usually, you can borrow or rent the necessary gear from the club.
Learn the right technique right from the start: make sure you learn the correct technique. This works best if you have an experienced coach that guides you right from the start. Begin with the basic forehand and backhand strokes before moving on to more advanced strokes such as the volley, serve and smash. Proper technique prevents injury and improves the quality of your game.
Get a feeling for the ball: practise juggling with tennis balls. This simple exercise will help you get a feeling for the ball and improve your ball handling, which will improve your skills during play.
Practice makes perfect: it’s a good idea to regularly take part in practice matches with other beginners. Playing against other beginners will help you develop your tactics and get mentally prepared for the game.
Incorporate fitness training: tennis requires a good basic level of fitness. Regular running, rope skipping, or other endurance exercises will help you last longer on the court and react more quickly.
Warm-up and injury prevention: it is important to prepare your joints and muscles well because tennis requires quick changes of direction and abrupt movements. Thus, a thorough warm-up before the game is essential to prevent injuries.
Set realistic goals: don't expect to do everything perfectly at the beginning. Set yourself small, realistic goals, such as holding a rally (playing with an opponent) over several strokes or improving a certain stroke technique. This will motivate you and ensure steady progress.
In addition to these tips, it is important that you remember to have fun. Don't get discouraged when the going gets tough and enjoy your time on the court.
Tennis equipment: essential tennis gear for beginners
As a beginner, it is a good idea to choose tennis gear that will make getting started easier and support you in your new hobby. Consider the following points when choosing your tennis equipment:
Sportswear and tennis shoes: breathable, lightweight materials will help regulate your body temperature and wick away sweat. Well-fitting tennis shoes are important, not only because they are comfortable, but they also prevent injuries. Make sure that your shoes are suitable for the type of tennis court you are going to play on. Soles with a profile (e.g. with a herringbone tread) are ideal for clay courts. Shoes with ample cushioning are great for hard courts and shoes with a smooth sole are more suitable for indoor courts.
Tennis racket for beginners: a racket with a larger head will allow you to play more accurately and is ideal for beginners. A light racket is easier on the arms which means you will be able to play for longer. Make sure your grip is not too thin. Your fingers should not touch the palm of your hand (a finger-width gap is ideal). This makes it safe and comfortable to handle. How your racket is balanced depends on your swing. If you prefer playing with a short swing, the racket should be top-heavy. However, for more powerful swings, it should be more grip-heavy. A racket with a medium balance is ideal for playing both styles.
Tennis strings: multifilament tennis strings are ideal for beginners as they are gentle on your arm and also offer a good combination of durability and feeling for the ball.
Tennis balls for beginners: tennis balls with stage 1 to 3 are ideal for beginners because they are softer and therefore fly more slowly. This makes it easier for you to develop a feel for the ball and refine your stroke technique. To start with, get yourself 3 to 4 dozen tennis balls (36 to 48 balls). This will allow you to practise without constantly having to interrupt your training to collect balls. If you want to train with a ball machine, you may need more balls.
To make sure that your tennis equipment is geared towards your specific needs, it is a good idea to get advice from an expert. Your coach, fellow players at your club and even salespeople at specialist shops can help you make the right choice and give you other helpful tips. We also recommend testing the tennis racket before buying it. A lot of tennis shops and clubs offer demo programmes where you can test different rackets on the court before making a decision.
To prolong the life of your tennis gear, we recommend regularly giving it the proper care it needs. This means replacing the strings regularly and changing the grip tape when it is worn out. You should also replace your tennis balls when they lose their bounce.
Conclusion: tennis is great for young and old
Tennis is a sport that keeps you in good physical and mental shape at any age. It's easy to get started with a few basic tips, and with the right equipment, it is bound to be fun. Grab a racket, put on your trainers and discover the joy of tennis! With just a little practice and perseverance, you can quickly improve your tennis game and reap the benefits of this exciting sport.
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References and further information
https://blog.davidlloyd.co.uk/tennis/beginners-guide-to-tennis/
(last accessed on 16.09.2024)
https://www.careline.co.uk/benefits-of-tennis/
(last accessed on 16.09.2024)
https://www.lta.org.uk/play/how-to-get-started/
(last accessed on 16.09.2024)
https://www.lta.org.uk/play/how-to-get-started/tennis-kit-guide/
(last accessed on 16.09.2024)
https://www.tennishq.co.uk/pages/ultimate-tennis-shoes-buying-guide
(last accessed on 16.09.2024)
https://warwick.ac.uk/services/sport/blog/feed/6-reasons-tennis/
(last accessed on 16.09.2024)
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